Housing Inspector - Buildings, Safety Engineering & Environmental Department

City of Detroit; Michigan; On-site; USD 42,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Detroit is seeking a Housing Inspector in the Buildings, Safety Engineering and Environmental Department. The role involves inspecting residential properties, investigating complaints, and ensuring compliance with housing and safety codes.

Duties include periodic inspections, preparing violation notices, and maintaining thorough records in a public sector environment. Applicants should have a high school diploma, with preferred apprenticeship in construction trades and further training

Qualifications

• High school diploma required.
• Preferably apprenticeship in a building construction trade.
• Preferably some advanced academic training in structural principles in an engineering, construction or related field.

Responsibilities

• Inspect and report on the condition of residential dwellings and surroundings to ensure compliance with codes and safety standards.
• Conduct periodic inspections of multiple buildings and inspections of one- and two-family dwellings.
• Investigate complaints related to housing or environmental conditions.
• Inspect interiors and exteriors of buildings for unsafe or unsanitary conditions and signs of deterioration.
• Prepare notices of violations and refer issues to specialized inspection divisions.
• Maintain records of actions taken, violations found and conditions observed.
• Appear and testify in court proceedings regarding code violations.
• Assist in training and supervising new employees.

Job description

BUILDINGS, SAFETY ENGINEERING AND ENVIRONMENTAL DEPARTMENT

HOUSING INSPECTOR

We create safe environments for city residents. The BSEED mission is to provide for the safety, health and welfare of the general public as it pertains to buildings and their environs in an efficient, cost-effective, user-friendly and professional manner.

BSEED enforces construction, property maintenance, environmental compliance and zoning codes, which preserve and enhance property values and promote quality of life to make Detroit a preferred place to reside and conduct business.

Inspects and reports on the condition of residential dwellings and their surroundings to ensure compliance with pertinent codes and ordinances and accepted sanitary and safety standards.

1. Conducts required periodic inspection of all multiple buildings and systematic inspections of one and two-family dwellings.
2. Inspects residential properties offered for sale, including inspection work incident to mortgage guarantees.
3. Investigates complaints related to housing or environmental conditions.
4. Inspects the interior and exterior of buildings for unsafe or unsanitary conditions, improper structural, plumbing, electrical, heating and ventilation maintenance and signs of deterioration.
5. Determines ownership of properties in violation of property maintenance code.
6. Prepares notice of violations or refers issues to specialized inspection divisions.
7. Notes need to obtain permits for completed or contemplated repairs or alterations.
8. Interviews citizens who have filed complaints or are responsible for correction of violations and advises them on the application of legal requirements.
9. Maintains accurate records of actions taken, violations found and conditions observed.
10. Issues and serves ordinance violation notices.
11. Examines plans prior to issuance of permits for conformance to building code and zoning ordinance.
12. Refers citizens to appropriate department divisions or other City agencies.
13. Prepares and presents lectures, speeches and demonstrations on housing sanitation, maintenance and environmental standards, codes and control measures.
14. Assists in compiling reports and recommendations requested by supervisors.
15. Appears and testifies in court proceedings regarding code violations.
16. Makes recommendations on applications for certification of compliance.
17. Prepares daily activities reports.
18. Assists in training and overseeing work of new employees.

EDUCATION

• Graduation from high school.
• Preferably completion of an apprenticeship in one of the building construction trades.
• Preferably some advanced academic training in structural principles in an engineering, construction or related field.

EXPERIENCE

• A minimum of four years of journey worker experience in the construction, repair, or alteration of residential housing or public structures.
• Preferably experience in the supervisory or inspection phases of the work.
• Employees in this class will be required to provide and operator a motor vehicle on a reimbursed mileage basis, a valid State of Michigan Operator license is required.
• Employees will use their own vehicle and be reimbursed for fuel usage.

EQUIVALENCY

• Equivalent combinations of education and experience that provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities will be evaluated on an individual basis.

Licensing and Certifications

Employees in this class will be required to provide their own vehicle for transportation on a reimbursed mileage basis. Valid State of Michigan Operator License required.

Candidates considered for placement in this classification may be subject to a Criminal Background Investigation based on the requirements of the position.

LRD: 9/23/26

Evaluation Plan

• Computerized Exam: 35%
• Interview: 35%
• Evaluation of Training, Experience &Personal Qualifications:30%
• Total Computerized Exam, Interview and Evaluation T.E.P:100%

Additional points may be awarded for

• Veteran Points: 0 – 15 points
• Detroit Residency Credit: 15 points

This is a temporary, non-exempt assignment on a 40 hours per week basis. The standard work hours of the position will be 8:00a until 4:30p with a 30-minute lunch; occasional evening and weekend work hours as needed.

Employees will use their own vehicle and be reimbursed for fuel usage.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Must be able to perform essential functions of the class, including reading standard English text and drawings or plans; communicating with others in person and by telephone; making accurate observations and reducing them to writing; entering and retrieving information from computers; speaking and making public presentations; climbing and descending stairs and ladders; and entering and moving through narrow openings and crawl spaces.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Work is typically performed both indoors and outdoors, with exposure to all seasonal conditions and occasional exposure to dusty areas, noxious odors, heights and narrow and confined spaces.

Candidates considered for placement in this classification may be subject to a Criminal Background Investigation based on the requirements of the position.

The above statements reflect the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this class. Incumbents may be required to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated in this specification. Essential duties may vary from position to position.